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Slums of Film History.
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Slums of Film History is an in-depth podcast on niche film topics that aren't normally discussed in polite company. We take turns weekly discussing a single topic from everything to bodily fluids to T&A to exploding heads. If there is a film subject too taboo we haven’t found it yet. Welcome.

65 episodes available.
A new episode about every
19 days
averaging 52 mins duration
.

For four seasons we've talked about the various different types of revenge in movies ranging from prostitutes getting payback to vengeful spirits returning from the dead to kick some serious ass. Yet in all that time we never really talked about why. Why do we love the thought of getting revenge so much? What is it about tales of retribution th ...…

Slate's last episode of Season 5 is marking the end. The End of the World, that is. But we’re not talking about near death experiences or stories where something almost happened to Earth but we were saved by Bruce Willis on a suicide mission. Today we’re talking about the end of humanity: movies where there isn’t a soul alive at the end. Maybe ...…

In over the last century of film the concept of curses, hexes and jinxes have managed to work their way from the dark lore of mankind's past onto the shiny celluloid of today, where film audiences past and present have been thrilled by stories featuring this mythological phenomenon. But is it a myth? Are the only curses we are likely to experie ...…

Slate has been talking about this episode for 5 seasons and listeners have been asking for it for years. Today, he'll finally present his episode on Incest in the movies. So get ready for sex with cousins, sex with parents, sex with siblings, inbreeding, underage Brooke Shields nudity, Flowers in the Attic and that time Michael J Fox’s mother h ...…

What happens when there isn't anything challenging left to hunt? What do those manly big game hunters do after they've killed just about every animal that has walked the earth? The answer is simple of course, you just start huntin' humans! And for the better part of film history there have been plenty of films that have shown man treating his f ...…

Congrats! You made it through Part 1 and gotten through most of the nasty stuff. No more dog turds, puke eaters or lobster rape. Now we start in the late 70s and focus on botched sex change castration, roaches that live in teenager’s beehive hairdos and a maniacal mother that kills if you don’t rewind your videotapes. Today we talk about race w ...…

Director John Waters made films that simultaneously horrified and delighted audiences with a 300 pound drag queen named Divine, cannibalism, foot fetishes, a party performer with a singing anus, a 15 foot rapist lobster, and a rosary dildo. And that’s just his first 4 films. Slate can't wait to present Part 1 of his two parter on “John Waters: ...…

The concept of an evil corporation or bad company is so deeply embedded in the fabric of our contemporary culture— populating novels, tv shows, and of course movies that its hard to think of any pop culture representation of a corporate entity that isn't evil. Anytime a movie features a big company their business model is usually either exploit ...…

Today we’re talking about splatter films. Blood and guts and arms and legs and mutilation and dismemberment and scalpings and beheadings. But we're also talking about the Splatter! Industry. Where and how it started, the controversy behind it and how it got it’s second and third wind long after the drive ins and grindhouses were closed. Today’s ...…

Every 12.3 minutes, someone in America commits suicide. It's the second leading cause of death among 15 to 24-year-olds and is the 10th leading cause of death in the US. So there’s no mistaking that suicide is a very serious matter. And throughout film history, there have been countless serious movies that have seriously treated this subject ma ...…

The first time a deal with the devil is made in history is in the writings of Johann Georg Faust around the late 1400s, and thus a whole genre of books, poems, operas and movies was born. Today Slate will tackle the not-so-important question: why are there are so many movies where someone makes a stupid deal, pact or bet with the devil? Where d ...…

Cinema can get away with a lot more today than it could in its humble beginnings but there are still topics are ripe for controversy. Religion being one of the biggest. Many a filmmaker has learned the hard way that if a film dare cast a critical eye on a churches’ dogma or God forbid (so to speak) your religious based movie isn’t 100% true to ...…

Slate's first episode of Season 5 is all about Stag Films. Stag films were those seedy, grimy one reel films that were made in the 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s that featured things you couldn't see in any theater in America: SEX. But how did they start and where did they come from? And how did they influence porn features in the 70s, home video in the ...…

The last episode of Season 4 is about transplants. The medical miracle that can completely change the course of a dying body to a thriving body. Or it can completely change your personality and turn you into a crazy maniac on the run from society. Either way, Slate will wrap Season 4 with “Attack of the Transplants.” LINKS TO SOME OF THE FILMS ...…

If cinema is to be believed, a hippie is nothing more than a sex crazed, pot smoking, drum circling burnout who doesn’t work, doesn’t bathe and would want nothing more than to join a death cult and go on a LSD fueled murder spree. On today's episode we’re gonna groove out on the films that show the wilted side of flower power. So be sure to tur ...…

Today Slate will dissect the different types of carnivorous plants and take you through all of the movie originals, sequels, musical spinoffs and parody films as we discuss: Crop Killers. LINKS TO SOME OF THE FILMS WE DISCUSS The Thing from Another World (free on Archive) Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1954) (free on this skeezy site) Little S ...…

Today we'll discuss the films where those sleepy balls of fur turn into a screeching ball of death and man's best friend becomes his worst nightmare. Join us as we snuggle up to Cuddly Critters That Kill. LINKS TO SOME OF THE MOVIES WE DISCUSS Night of The Lepus (free on Putlocker) The Pack (free on Dailymotion The Uncanny (free on Dailymotion) ...…

Slate's next episode is all about twins. Terrible twins. Those murdering, conniving, man stealing, deformed, de-conjoined, mustachioed (that sometimes wear eye patches so you know which one is which) twins. From the early serial films to Dead Ringers and Basket Case, this episode is the evil twin you wish you had. LINKS TO SOME OF THE FILMS WE ...…

Tom's episode is his first listener suggested topic about insane asylums. He'll be talking about all of the abusive administrators, raving loonies, shock treatments and lobotomies that are a hallmark of this cinematic institution. LINKS TO SOME OF THE MOVIES WE TALK ABOUT Shock Corridor (free on Youtube) Even Dwarfs Started Small ($3.99 on Yout ...…

Slate's Season 4 director profile is all about a filmmaking couple, Michael and Roberta Findlay. The Findlays made some of the weirdest, sickest underground roughies and sex films throughout the 60s and 70s until Roberta graduated to super-violent horror movies of the 80s. They worked under a variety of different names with a variety of undergr ...…

A goth rockstar with a supernatural bird, an aerobics instructor possessed by the spirit of a ninja, a mentally challenged scarecrow and Charlie Sheen in a magic car. What do all these people have in common? They're all dead and they're all out for sweet, sweet vengeance. Today we explore the film characters whose desire for retribution is so s ...…

Bugs are disgusting, horrible creatures. So naturally Hollywood started exploiting our fear and fascination with bugs in the early 50s. These early monster bug films, born of the atomic age, continued to blossom into a few new genres of Big Bug films over the next 50 years and they still turn up every now and then today. We hope this one gives ...…

Tom is following up Slate's Kids That Kill episode with the reverse: Kid Killin’. We’ll examine the movies that dared to cross the line of what is arguably the last taboo of modern filmmaking, killing children on film. LINKS TO SOME OF THE MOVIES WE DISCUSS Sabotage (free on Youtube) Assault on Precinct 13 (free with Amazon Prime) Andy Warhol’s ...…

Where's the best place to celebrate the summer? With a bunch of underage kids at Summer Camp! Whether your camp is religious, fat, Canadian, gay conversion, or just filled with sexy co-eds getting picked off by a psychotic killer running wild and seeking vengeance, you’re gonna love this throwback to the 80s summer camp movies where anything, a ...…

Throughout cinema history the film depiction of the American cheerleader has been well, lets just say less than stellar. Today we’re going to find out why. So shake your pompoms with vigor and get a firm grip on your spirit stick because we’re going to Be Aggressive! B-E Aggressive! And we're gonna show that we’ve got spirit, Yes We Do! For Che ...…

Tom's last episode of Season 3 is about Street Gangs, those silver screen hoodlums who’ve terrorized cinematic cities throughout the ages. From the the Jets to the Warriors, we separate fact from fiction in the movies with our Season 3 Finale! LINKS TO SOME OF THE FILMS WE TALK ABOUT Musketeers of Pig Alley (free on Youtube) West Side Story ($3 ...…

Slate's last episode of Season 3 is the first user suggested topic on Venereal Diseases. From the educational albeit exploitation early hygiene films of the 20s to the Lifetime weepies of today, we’ll talk about everything that itches, discharges or bleeds. LINKS TO SOME OF THE FILMS WE DISCUSS To the People of the United States (free on Youtub ...…

Tom follows up with another chapter in his revenge series with a look at the highly controversial sub genre of films known as Rape Revenge. We’ll ponder films like "The Virgin Spring," "I Spit on Your Grave" and "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" while discussing their place in cinematic entertainment. LINKS TO SOME OF THE MOVIES WE DISCUSS Virg ...…

Slate is closing his trilogy of evil childlike things that come to life and wreak bloody havoc in the movies, starting with Bad Babies, Devil Dolls and now Kids That Kill. Today we'll talk about those murderous, evil, conniving spawns of Satan and how the genre continues to reinvent itself throughout the years. LINKS TO SOME OF THE FILMS WE DIS ...…

Slate is following up his filmmaker series with Russ Meyer and his Boob Dynasty. Meyer was a filmmaker that transcended genres but all in the name of his lifelong obsession: huge knockers. LINKS TO ALMOST ALL OF RUSS MEYER'S MOVIES The Immoral Mr. Teas (free on Youtube) Eve and the Handyman (short clip on Dailymotion) Wild Gals of the Naked Wes ...…

In 1971 Blacksploitation exploded onto the scene with "Sweet Sweetback's Baddass Song" and "Shaft," followed by a series of movies that featured African-American actors in lead roles and often having anti-establishment plots. These films were condemned for stereotypical characterization and glorification of violence, but audiences loved them an ...…

Tom's first two-parter is all about that time in the early seventies when African American Blaxploitation anti-heros like Shaft, Cleopatra Jones and Dolemite ruled the cinemas. LINKS TO SOME OF THE MOVIES WE DISCUSS Shaft ($2.99 on Youtube) Shaft's Big Score ($2.99 on Youtube) Blacula ($2.99 on Amazon) Black Belt Jones ($2.99 on Youtube) Superf ...…

Slate's episode on Hicksploitation is all about those toothless murderous rape-y bootleggin’ rednecks that Hollywood loves to abuse. From “Child Bride” to "Deliverance” to “I Spit on Your Grave” we’ll put on our southern accents and play a round of Dueling Banjos! LINKS TO SOME OF THE MOVIES WE DISCUSS Child Bride (free on Youtube) Two Thousand ...…

For over 80 years Nazis have been the antagonists of countless dramas, thrillers and action films. They've also proven to be a ripe target for parody as well. On today's episode we focus on the the films that dare to satirize, poke fun and even exploit the most notorious group of bastards to ever appear on the silver screen. Today we have Fun w ...…

Slate takes us through a history of those lovable, huggable, comforting dolls...that kill! LINKS TO SOME OF THE MOVIES WE DISCUSS Dead of Night (free on Veoh) Curse of the Doll People (free on Dailymotion) Asylum (free on Youtube) Magic (free on Youtube) Trilogy of Terror (free on Youtube) Poltergeist ($2.99 on Youtube) Black Devil Doll from He ...…

Tom's first episode of Season 3 is all about those disgusting movie monsters that will enter your body and take over your brain and how their real life counterparts are just as frightening as those on the big screen. LINKS TO SOME OF THE MOVIES WE DISCUSS Shivers (free on Youtube) Parasite (free on Dailymotion) Brain Damage (free on Youtube) Al ...…

We're back with Season 3! In our first episode, Slate takes us on a tour of Hollywood's exploitation of gay and trans folk in the movies. It's our queerest episode yet! LINKS TO SOME OF THE MOVIES WE DISCUSS Rebecca (free on Youtube) Rope ($2.99 on Youtube) Beyond the Valley of the Dolls ($2.99 on Amazon and worth it!) Cruising ($2.99 on Youtub ...…

In our season 2 finale, Slate takes us underwater to explore all of the things that live down deep and want to eat you. From deep sea adventure films to the radiation monster movies of the 50s to the first summer blockbuster of all time, we'll explore squids, crocodiles, sharks and piranhas in the movies. This is the episode to ruin your summer ...…

Making movies can be dangerous business. There are so many things that can go wrong on set, everything from cameras not working to well-timed stunts not going as planned. Throughout cinema history, some individuals who make films have been hurt, maimed and even killed. On today’s morbid episode of Slums of Film History we’ll be focusing on thos ...…

In the late 1950s to the mid 1960s, one director boldly went to great lengths to scare the crap out of theatergoers: William Castle. Castle was equal parts PT Barnum, Alfred Hitchcock and Roger Corman and his greatest schtick was gimmicks. He rigged theaters with seat buzzers, fainters, fright breaks and coffins. He even made a decent movie or ...…

You’d be surprised by how many films feature puke and jizz, or then again maybe you wouldn't. Films like horror classic “The Exorcist” or the coming of age gem “Stand By Me” both contain memorable puke scenes. Both comedy classics “There's Something About Mary” and not-so-classic “Scary Movie” both contain unforgettable scenes featuring jizz. S ...…

Pee pee and poo poo have a long, robust history in the annals of film, from shock films like “Last House on the Left” and “The Exorcist” to lowbrow comedies like “Caddyshack” and “American Pie.” Even Oscar movies “Shawshank Redemption” and “Slumdog Millionaire” feature main actors submerged in sewage. So grab your barf bag and suppress your gag ...…

While most parents worry about how their kids are doing in school, who they are hanging out with, and whether they are experimenting with alcohol or drugs, 80's parent's biggest fear was Satanic Cults! Apparently during the Reagan era Satan was working overtime to steal the souls of American children. Today on Slums of Film History we’ll be dis ...…

Step right up, ladies and gentleman and see the strangest freaks ever exhibited by man! See the bearded ladies, Siamese twins and a the half man/half woman! Nothing you’ve ever imagined could prepare you for today’s episode as we present a history of circus sideshow oddities and abnormalities in Slums of Film History: Freakshow. Freaks (free on ...…

He went off to the war but returned to an America much different than the one he left, an America rife with drugs and crime. When he was pushed too far he waged a war of his own, seeking justice against the scum on the street. He's the Vigilante Veteran! Exterminator (free on youtube) First Blood (free on this shady site) Taxi Driver ($2.99 on ...…

Rabies is a viral infection that once transmitted, goes straight to the brain and turns animals into bloodthirsty monsters. And Hollywood loves bloodthirsty monsters. Join us as we travel through movie history to expose nicks, bites, zombies, dogs, bats, foamy mouths and Old Yeller for Episode 16: Rabies! The Story of Louis Pasteur (free on You ...…

WARNING: THIS EPISODE IS GROSS A mind is a terrible thing to waste, but you'd never know that from watching the movies. Over the years cinema has shown us some very imaginative (and gruesome) ways to cut off, smash or completely blow up the human head. On today’s episode we’ll talk about some of those films and how they affect us, so be prepare ...…

In 1972 audiences around the country stood in long lines to get a look at "Deep Throat," the first mainstream pornographic film to be reviewed by Variety. Some people loved it, some hated it but everyone had an opinion. In the 4 years that followed a slew of big budget porn films would capitalize on this craze in what would eventually be called ...…

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